Electrical receiving apparatus.



T. N. SL'OCUM.

ELECTRICAL RECEIVING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED-AUG. 13. 1915.

1,178,882. Patented Apr. 11, 1916.

. 2 SHEETSSHEET 31/, JM/ W- Attorneys;

T. N. SLOCUM.

ELECTRICAL RECEIVING APPARATUS APPLICQTION FILED AUG. 13, $915.

1,178,882. Patented Apr. 11, 1916. I

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Z4 if Witnesses Inventor, zifim,

Attorneys ES FATE I ELECTRICAL RECEIVING APIPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 11, 1916.

Application filed August 13, 1915. Serial No. 45,426.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THADDEUS N. SLOCUM, a citizen of the United States,residing at Aberdeen, in the county of .Cheh-alis and State ofWashington, have invented a new anduseful. Electrical ReceivingApparatus, of which the following is a specification.

The present-invention appertains to electrical receiving apparatus, andaims to provide a novel "and improved apparatus of that characterwhereby weak electrical currents, disturbances or Hertzian waves may bemade to effectively operate a telegraph sounder or other instrument. 7 i

The present apparatus is adapted. espe-- ciallyfor use in Wirelesstelegraphy, in order that the Hert'zian Waves, even though they becomparatively weak due to a remoteness of the receiving apparatus fromthe sending apparatus, are made to eifec-- tively operate a telegraphsounder, recorder or other instrument employed for receiving orrecording telegraphic messages, although the apparatus is also capableof use as a receiver for ocean cables, and the like, to enable thetelegraph sounder or equivalent instrument to be properly operated evenby weak electrical currents.

ln carrying out the invention, there is employed a selenium cellinterposed in an electrical circuit which controls the telegraph sounderor instrument, in combination with a movably mounted mirror or reflectorfor reflecting a beam of light onto the selenium cell. when the mirroris operated by a special device for that purpose, it being well knownthat a selenium cell which ordinarily offers considerable resistance,will under the action of a beam of light impinging thereagainst,materially reduce the resist'ance' to the flow of electrical currenttherethrough, and thus allow the current to traverse the circuit foroperating the telegraph sounder or instrument.

It is also the objectof the invention to provide a novel and improvedapparatus for mounting and operating the mirror or reflector so thatsaid means will be sufficiently sensitive or delicate to enable themirror to be moved or swQung properly and effectively, a telephonereceiver being employed in said device for operating the mirror andbeing arranged to conveniently and efficiently serve the otfice ofactuating the mirror. I

It is also within the scope of the invention to provide an electricalreceiving apparatus having the features above noted, and which at thesame time, is comparatively simple and inexpensive in construction, aswell as being convenlent, practical and eflicacious in use.

With the foregoing and other objects in view Whlch will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention resides in the combinatlon andarrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafterdescribed and claimed, it being understood that changes in the preciseembodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within thescope of what is claimed Without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

The invention is illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatical view of the apparatus. Fig. 2 is a planview of the mirroroperating device. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of saiddevice. Fig. 4 is an end view of said device, portions being brokenaway.

.Fig. 5 is a cross section taken on the line 55 of Fig. 3. v

In carrying out the invention, there is employed a suitable lantern orsource of light 1 for directing a beam of light against a movably orswingably mounted mirror or reflector 2. A selenium cell 3 is soarranged with respect to the mirror 2 that the reflected beam of lightwill be made to coiiperate therewith under certain conditions as willThe seleinto the reflector 4 will be reflected to the Y focus in whichthe cell 3 lies, thus assuring the direction of the beam of lightagainst the cell whenever the beam enters the reflector. The seleniumcell 3 is interposed in an electrical circuit -5 having a' suitablesource of electrical energy 6 therein, and also having interposedtherein, a relay 7 controlling a second electrical circuit 8 providedwith a suitable source of electrical energy 9 sufliciently strong tooperate a telegraph sounder, recorder or similar'instrument 10 for thereceiving of telegraph messages or intelligence.

The lamp 1, mirror 2 and selenium cell 3 are preferably disposed in adarkroom or chamber, to prevent the interference of' stray rays of lightwith the operation of the apparatus.

The device or mechanism which is emreceiver 17,the case 18 of whichcontains the usual electromagnets 19 and diaphragm 20 operated thereby.This diaphragm 20 is operatively connected to the mirror 2 as willhereinafter more fully appear.-

As a means for mounting the case 18 of the receiver 17, there isemployed a base 23 upon which is secured a plate 24 having alongitudinal slot 25 which has its edges undercut. A slide 26 isdisposed for longitudinal sliding movement upon the plate 24, and astrip 27 of dove-tailed cross section is secured to the lower surface ofthe slide 26 and works in the slot 25 to guide the slide forlongitudinal -movement, and to hold the slide in place upon the base.The receiver 17 is carried by the slide 26, and to this end, the rearend of the slide 26 has a standard '28 to which the case 18 is securedby means of a bolt or other securing means 29, with the diaphragm 5 ofthe receiver 17 facing forwardly. In other words, the back of the case18 is secured to the standard 28.

The slide 26 is adjusted longitudinally for adjusting the position ofthe receiver 17 by means of a stem or tail piece 30 projectingrearwardly from the standard 28 and passing slidably through anupstanding lug 31 carried by the rear end of the plate 24, nuts 32 beingthreaded upon the .stem 30 in front and rear of the lug 31 to.

assist in adjusting the slide 26 and enable said slide to be held at anyposition' to which it is adjusted, for obvious reasons. The mirror- 2is'mounted for oscillation in front of the receiver 17, and to this endthe forward end of the plate 24 has apair of spaced upstanding standards33 having notched bearings 34 of glass or other suitable material sunkor embedded in and cemented to the standards or uprights 33. Atransverse rocking or oscillating member 35 of steel or other equivalentmaterial and of triangular cross section, has its lower corner seatedupon the bearings 34, to provide a knife edge pivot. reflector 2 iscemented or otherwise secured upon the upper surface of the member 35,and a silk thread or equivalent flexible element 36 is also cemented orotherwise secured upon the upper surface of the member 35. The thread 36projects rearwardly in the plane of the upper surface of the member 35and is attached to the central portion of the diaphragm 20. The thread36 has a portion 37 depending from the forward upper edge ofthe'member35, and a suitable weight 38 is attached to the depending portion 37.

'The telephone receiver 17 with its attendant parts are thus utilized asa reflecting galvanomcter, the electromagnets 19 of which are connectedby conductors 39 with the detector 40 which is used for the de- Themirror on tection of Hertzian waves, so that the said waves will result,in the energization of the electromag'nets 19.

In operation, when a Hertzian wave operates the detector 40, theelectromagnets 19 of the galvanometer are energized, thereby attractingthe diaphragm 20; This will pull the thread or elementv 36 with thediaphragm 20, and due to the attachment of the thread 36 withthe memberor rocker 35, said. member 35 will be pulled rearwardly, it being notedthat the pivot of the member is below the point of attachment of thethread 36 therewith. \Vhen the member 35 is swung in this manner, thedepending portion 37 is raised slightly, thereby raising the weight 38,and furthermore, the mirror 2 is swung rearwardlyinto a different plane.Urdinarily, the beam of light 41 focused from'the lamp 1 against themirror 2 is reflected along the line 42 by the mirror 2 at one side ofthe reflector 4. Now, when the mirror 2 is swung under the influence ofthe diaphragm 20,- the beam of light is reflected approximately alongthe line 43, into the reflector 4, and the beam of light is thusdirected against the selenium cell 3. As a consequence, the resistanceoffered by the selenium cell will be lowered materially, allowing thecurrent from the battery or source of energy 6 to flow through theselenium cell and relay 7. The relay '7 is thus energized to attract itsarmature, which will close the circuit 9, thus operating thetelegraph-sounder or instrument 10. As soon as the electromagnets 19 aredeenergized, the diaphragm 20 is released and will spring back to normalposition,, and the weight 38 will quickly pull selenium cell to makeand'break the circuit operating the sounder or receiving instrument.Since the diaphragm'20 is attracted by the electromagnets 19 by even theWeakest currents, the galvanometer is sufliciently sensitive to operatethe mirror 2 by the weak currents, and the mirror being operated cancontrol the beam of light without any additional. effort, resulting inthe control of the telegraph sounder or instrument through the medium ofthe selenium cell.

The present apparatus may not only be employed for receiving wirelesstelegra h messages or intelligence, but may also a used for receivingcable messages, it being well known that the currents of ocean cablesare generally Very weak and require delicate receiving apparatus. Byconnecting the conductors 39 to the conductors of the cable, the weakcurrents will sufiiciently energize the electromagnets 19 for operatingvthe diaphragm 20 with the results above noted.

\Vith the present apparatus, the inconvenience of receiving wirelesstelegraph messages by the aid of a telephone receiver applied to theear, is obviated, and a telegraph sounder, recorder, or similarinstrument is made 'to respond quickly to the Hertzian wave. Instead ofa telegraph sounder being used, a recorder or register may be used toprovide a permanent record, the same as is 'done in ordinary telegraphy.Beside operating the telegraph sounder or instrument, the circuitcontrolled by the selenium cell can be made to operate a bell, lamp,motor, mine or in fact any other mechanism or device, thus rendering thescope of use of the invention Wide.

By adjusting the slide or carriage 26, the

receiver 17 is slid to render the thread 36 taut under normalconditions, whereby the mirror 2 will be properly operated by even theslightest movement of thediaphragm 20 when attracted by theelectromagnets 19, and as soon as the diaphragm is released, the weight38 will quickly return the mirror to normal position, without danger ofthe mirror rebounding or vibrating. The mirror is thus brought to aquick stop when re turned to initial position. The adjustment of thereceiver 17 also enables the thread 36 to be pulled backwardlysufficiently to properly position the mirror 2 under normal conditions,so that the reflected beam of light will enter the reflector 4 when themirror is swung by the diaphragm 20.

The selenium cell is preferably inclosed in a bulb. or globe of glassfrom which the air has been exhausted to render the action of theselenium cell more positive. It is also -phragm, and means for.returning member to normal position.

possible to arrange a series of selenium cells in a path to be traversedby the reflected beam of light when'said beam of light is swung from itsnormal position by the action of the reflecting galvanometer, and the.various selenium cells could be made to control oneor more electricalcircuits in the manner above indicated.

Having thus described-the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In an electrical receiving apparatus, a rocking member carrying amirror, a thread connected thereto, electromagnetically operated means'for pulling said thread, and a weight connected to said member forreturning it to initial position.

2. In an electrical receiving apparatus, a

rocking member of triangular cross section,

bearings upon which the lower edge of said member is seated, anupstanding mirror secured to the upper surface ofsaid member, a threadsecured upon the upper surface of said member and having a portiondepending from. one upper edge of said member, a weight attached to saiddependingportion, a diaphragm to which said thread. I is secured wherebythe movement of the diaphragm rocks said member, and electromagneticmeans for operating said diaphragm. 3. In an electrical receivingapparatus, a base, bearings carried thereby, a rocking member supportedby said bearings and having a mirror, a slide adjustably mounted uponsaid base, a receiver carried by said slide including a diaphragm and anelectromagnet for operating said diaphragm, a thread connecting saidmember and diad In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, Ihave hereto afiixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

THADDEUS N. SLOCUlVL' Witnesses H. E. PALMETER,

. G. W. ELzET'r.

